Week 1482 - Your VIP is Not My VIP

I am trying something new. For a few days now, I have been writing short essays on different topics in a paper diary. It is interesting that I am able to do this without needing much correction. The entire exercise uses the mind very differently. My handwriting of course remains terrible.

After writing it, I take a photo for archival in my computer. This one I then asked Codex to parse and convert to digital text. I might have even just put up the picture of the writing, but it is not fair to inflict my handwriting on anyone. Claude doesn't seem to have a problem.

I have not edited this further except for 3-4 words.

A few days ago when I was travelling, I received a phone call from a colleague saying they had a super VIP patient who needed an urgent biopsy and would I be able to do it today. I anyway wasn't in town, so the matter ended there. I mentioned this to Bijal, who came with the phrase "My VIP is Not Your VIP" and I decided to expand that.

I cringe when I hear the word "VIP" because it implies that this person is supposedly special and needs preferential treatment, usually at the cost of other patients or you, where you may have to work extra or take on more stress.

Doctors have 3 kinds of VIPs. The first are the true personal VIPs... close friends, family, school teachers or other teachers and emotional patients they have gotten close to. The second are the ones thrust upon them by other doctors, administrators or hospital authorities where they have no choice but to comply and kow-tow. The third, as this patient was, are usually moneyed people with some claim to fame, pleasing whom the doctor believes will advance their practice or income or lead to other tangible or intangible benefits.

What do people generally want from their medical interactions, whether with doctors or with hospitals? Typically, to be seen on time with minimal waiting, to be treated with respect and empathy and to be given time by the attending doctor.

If the expectations of a so-called VIP are just these, then that is not a big ask and we all do try to ensure that our near and dear ones are seen on time, given time and not made to wait. In most instances this does not really affect other patients adversely... often it means calling the patient first or last or seeing them in your free time, etc.

The challenge is when the VIP or doctor or administrator foisting the VIP wants to either jump the queue, which means keeping other people waiting or wants you to go significantly out of your way, which can mean mental or physical strain for you. I've reached a stage where I typically just say that I am travelling or not available and then turf the so-called VIP to hospitals that are more than happy to cater to such VIPs & celebrities. But most others don't have that luxury — catering to VIPs is its own form of hell.

The VIP or VVIP or VVVIP culture is not going to go away for a long time to come. The best we can do is not be those patients or doctors or administrators who demand to be treated as VIPs or foist their so-called VIPs on their colleagues.

Your VIP is not my VIP.

I repeat... if the ask is to just make sure people don't have to wait or are given time, that's fine. If the ask is at the cost of other patients' time and/or my mental or physical well-being, then it is best they go somewhere else.

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